Introducing myself

Hello,

My name is Adam Feinstein. I am an autism researcher. I work for Autism Cymru, Wales’s National Charity for Autism, although I am based in London. I edit Autism Cymru’s pioneering website, Awares (www.awares.org) and its other, internationally oriented, site, AutismConnect (www.autismconnect.org.uk).

Every year, I run an international online autism conference on Awares which Professor Simon Baron-Cohen at Cambridge University has called “the finest online conference of its kind on the planet.” More than sixty of the world’s leading autism experts – including Simon Baron-Cohen, Gary Mesibov, Donna Williams, Wendy Lawson , Susan Leekam and Susan Folstein – have taken part. Anyone can join in and take this unique opportunity to put their questions directly to the world’s top autism authorities. This year’s online conference, Autism2010, takes place in November. Check in here soon for details of the speakers.

In addition, I edit and publish an international autism newsletter, Looking Up, which includes the latest research news and views from the world of autism (www.lookingupautism.org).

Wiley-Blackwell published my latest book, A History of Autism: Conversations with the Pioneers, in June 2010. This was generously financed by Dame Stephanie Shirley.

I give talks on autism around the world, broadcast regularly for the BBC and also write on autism for a number of publications, including the Guardian.

I should add that I have a personal interest in autism: my 17-year-old son, Johnny, is autistic.

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14 Responses to “Introducing myself”

I am extremely interested in receiving more information on your research regarding Autism. My grandson has been diagnosed with Autism..he is three and a half years old..and I am also an Educator who is involved with main streaming Autistic children.

I am also interested in the area of “family conflict” in regards to having emotional difficulties between the parents of my grandchild (high functional..is hyperlexic..can read..is able to speak between two and three word sentences). We are in a most unusual situation where we are more proactive in working with our grandson to help him be the best he can be..the parents are “hoverers”..they don’t allow our grandson to experience the outside world. Needless to say, we are beyond frustrated.
Both adult children are college educated. My son-in-law is a Computer Scientist who works from home..my daughter is a stay at home mom..it also appears that my son-in-law has Aspergers.

Regarding grandson’s home environment, he watches many hours of TV..also constantly on the computer..very little boundaries are set up for him..he has never heard the word “no”..or ever had a time out. He still sleeps in my daughter’s bed with her..he has never slept in his own room.

Once again, thank you so much for doing the research that you are doing.
I am still actively involved in working with children who are darling and will ing to learn outside the box.

Sincerely,

Michelle Pardes aka Still Breathing (a five year survivor of a Bone Marrow Transplant)

I too have a 16 year old son called Harry who has Asperger’s, I am confused as to all the info that I have found states that he should be high functioning…. Harry is not high functioning….educationally aged 7 to 8 and socially aged 2 to 3..

I am wondering if you have any info on this type of asperger’s….I have many other questions but I fear it may show my ignorance…

Many thanks for your message. Yes, there remains enormous misunderstanding about Asperger’s syndrome. Almost all individuals with Asperger’s have social difficulties, and many also experience sensory processing abnormalities. Usually, people with Asperger’s syndrome do have average or above-average IQs, but the DSM-IV description of their having no language delays has proved very misleading, because the language of many people with Asperger’s tends to be very stilted. I have been told that there is a debate going on about whether the classification of Asperger’s syndrome should be removed from DSM-V when it is eventually published.

Just to confirm that, although Autism2009 closed for new discussion messages last Friday (December 18), I will be leaving all the speakers’ papers on the site (more than sixty of them), as well as the existing discussion messages, for several months to come, at http://www.awares.org/conferences

I am glad to say that the Awares onliine autism conference proved a great success and I extended the event twice due to public demand.

What can you do to help a person with social difficulties especially when initiating conversation . Has problems of course with group of friends …is not comfortatble with big crowds. Don’t talk much will listen…is there therapy to help him with that . He doesn’t want to go to school …goes just for one hour a day. is in grade 11. He likes to play his video games and on computer like most teenagers today. was diagnosed at 3 and was told diff. diagnostics but one doctor seemed to point at Aspergers syndrome.
Thank You

Thanks for posting your message. Of course social difficultiies are the mean feature of both autism and Asperger’s syndrome. There are many strategies being developed which can help. How old is your son now?

I can not find a doctor or therapist in southern New Jersey where I live to treat my son. Not only does he have physical problems which include celiac disease pain throughout his body everyday, diarrhea everyday, severe migraines daily but he has behavioral issues. He has
Asperger’s Syndrome. I desperately need help. He is only 120 lbs. and is 5’7″ and is too sick to go anywhere.

Dear Adam,
I am the mother of a 25 year old who is diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. I recently read A History of Autism and found it fascinating and really, really illuminating.
I’ve written you a letter and have been trying to find a mailing address for you. May I send a letter to you through your agent? If so, would you kindly e-mail me that person’s name and address, or an address you would permit me to use?

Thank you for writing A History of Autism. I eagerly await your next publication!

Hello Adam,my wife Eirlys and I met and spoke to you in Ledbury and you recommended The Poetry of Pablo Neruda with an introduction by Ilan Stavans. The book arrived this morning and I am enjoying it already! Thank you.